In the aftermath: Residents entering the site after the clearing process near the landslide site at Jalan E6, Taman Melawati yesterday. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
HULU KELANG: A landslide in Taman Melawati saw the authorities ordering the evacuation of residents from some 20 terrace houses.
The residents of Jalan E6 were seen removing their belongings and other important documents following the announcement by police.
However, many were unable to remove their vehicles as the only access road via Jalan Serdang had been blocked by debris from the landslide.
Many of the residents said that they were on the way to work when they received calls and messages from neighbours informing them of the landslide.
A car was damaged in the landslide and a guardhouse cabin was also overturned due to the falling debris but no casualties were reported.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said early reports indicated that a blocked drainage system on Jalan G2 was identified as the cause of the landslide.
Nanta said he had directed the slope engineering branch of the Public Works Department to carry out a detailed assessment of the landslide situation in Taman Melawati. A plastic canvas will be deployed across the exposed hillside.
Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Azam Ismail said the plastic canvas would cover the entire now-exposed hillside area that is 30m high and 20m wide.
He said this comes after an analysis found that there was still soil movement of the exposed hillside as heavy rain continued.
“There is a possibility that the landslide area could expand if heavy rains continue, which is why we have decided to deploy the canvas to cover the entire exposed area.”
ACP Mohd Azam also said that 80% of the debris from the landslide had been cleared as of 6pm yesterday, including the overturned guardhouse.
He said affected residents would only be able to collect their belongings or vehicles after the debris has been cleared.
“For now, we have identified 33 residents of 11 families from 16 nearby homes that have been affected by the landslide.
“Only two of the families have chosen to live in the temporary evacuation centre that has been set up at the nearby multi-purpose hall in Jalan E5.
“The other families have so far chosen to either live with family elsewhere or stay in nearby hotels,” he said.
He added that relevant government agency officers would arrive at the site today to perform further analysis to determine the safety of the area.
